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Los Lobos — One Time One Night
Album: By the Light of the Moon
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1459









Released: 1987
Length: 4:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

A lady dressed in white with the man she loved
Standing along the side of their pickup truck
A shot rang out in the night
Just when everything seemed right
Another headline written down in America

The guy that lived next door in #305
Took the kids to the park and disappeared
About half past nine
Who will ever know
How much she loved them so
That dark night alone in America

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America

A young girl tosses a coin in the wishing well
She hopes for a heaven while for her
There's just this hell
She gave away her life
To become somebody's wife
Another wish unanswered in America

People having so much faith
Die too soon while all the rest come late
We write a song that no one sings
On a cold black stone
Where a lasting peace will finally bring

The sunlight plays upon my windowpane
I wake up to a world that's still the same
My father said to be strong
And that a good man could never do wrong
In a dream I had last night in America

A wise man was telling storie to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America
Comments (164)add comment
I plain love how everything slips into place at RP. Listening to Marc Ribot ... who played guitar for T Bone Burnett (RP playis T Bone) ... who produced a couple of Los Lobos albums (RP plays Los Lobos) ... and so on ...
EXCELLENT!!  Thanx RP!   
what a great guitar band. 

they put on great live shows.

I wish they would tour more. 

especially in the midwest. 

You know...where Richie Valens died in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa. 
What a great group. Not fancy, just good tunes. Saw them for the first time in ‘19, while at the Ramble on the Island. 
Just wow, but I gotta remember that sometimes reading the lyrics can lead to tears running down my cheeks at work. Simply a wonderful and beautiful song. 
These guys always have had nice guitar work. 

And they are a great live band to see. 
Gets me dancing BEFORE morning coffee!! 
 tcseeley wrote:
Don't know what it is, but this song mesmerizes me. Something about the way it flows. About the only thing I'm familiar with by Los Lobos. Obviously know how to create great music.
 You should acquaint yourself with more of their stuff.

 ziggytrix wrote:
It really messes with my head to think of people drinking, dancing, and having a good ol' time while the band is singing:

"Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America"
 

And people whooping and hollering when John Prine sings "Sam Stone". I don't understand some people.
Don't know what it is, but this song mesmerizes me. Something about the way it flows. About the only thing I'm familiar with by Los Lobos. Obviously know how to create great music.
In the timbers to Fennario the wolves are running 'round....
Will forever associate this song with Background Briefing from Ian Masters. https://www.backgroundbriefing.org/
I just blasted this
fine music from fine musicians.
SO good! One of my favorite American bands of all time.
People always comment on how much RP plays Porcupine Tree. I think Los Lobos is played WAY more than PT! Ugh...
 idiot_wind wrote:
I don't know if they tour much anymore, but they can put on some great live shows. Seen them a few times...indoor and outdoor.   

 
My wife and I liked them in San Diego in the 80s on local radio, then in 1990 we were in Japan and went to see them in a little lounge/dance club in Tokyo. Terrific. Never saw them live again, but we have followed them and bought their albums ever since. Great bunch of musicians and songwriters,.
It really messes with my head to think of people drinking, dancing, and having a good ol' time while the band is singing:

"Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America"
I have a list of artists I would love to meet. David Hidalgo is near the top on that list.
Best garage band you will ever hear next to Neil. This song is one of many from an incredible group.
Aooooooooh!!!  los lobos Outstanding!
I don't know if they tour much anymore, but they can put on some great live shows. Seen them a few times...indoor and outdoor.   
What a great song, and the video will stay with you, especially now.
I originally posted a comment about this song way back around 1998.
It disappeared with a shuffle of Radio Paradise back around that time.
Let me see if I can remember it...
 
Desperately trying to get decent FM stations from out of this desert... both geographically and radio wise. I would seek out the most sensitive FM tuner for my truck. I had a fairly ingenious system of extension cords and a household plug to put speakers into the house I was working on. Working in construction (now over 44 years) I would listen to KROQ-FM Los Angeles and 91X FM San Diego.
One day while listening to 91X out of San Diego in 1995, Mike Halloran who was one the DJ's there at the time (he's back there again),
happened to put on Never Hold You by Dwight Yoakum. A real decent rocker of a song.
Well his phone lines lit up by people complaining about him playing a country artist.
He told his audience that they play a lot of "country songs" and played some Beat Farmers, Wilco, Toad the Wet Sprocket and this gem of a song!
When I got home (no cell phones then), I called him and thanked him for that.
 cjh7d wrote:
For my money, one of the best songs of the 80's, period. A shame it never got wider recognition and play. Thanks RP.

 
true dat
Nice tune.  I was always bummed when this single from '87 didn't do anything, but their "La Bamba" cover went through the roof.  Go figure.
my 1st Los Lobos album and I went right out and got their other one
This is real.
Never heard this before, what a shame. Superb lyrics.
 bam23 wrote:

Indeed. I suspect that a distressingly large number of listeners will gag at this, but this band is maintaining the flow that the Grateful Dead had, mining the strata of American music. They do it differently, but I think these bands have a lot more in common than most suspect. Just another band from East LA? Maybe not.

 
yes 
For my money, one of the best songs of the 80's, period. A shame it never got wider recognition and play. Thanks RP.
 Toke wrote:
Never cease to amaze me this band their reportoir appears to be endless , certainly grabbed me yet again,,

 
Indeed. I suspect that a distressingly large number of listeners will gag at this, but this band is maintaining the flow that the Grateful Dead had, mining the strata of American music. They do it differently, but I think these bands have a lot more in common than most suspect. Just another band from East LA? Maybe not.
{#Heartkiss} "Good Stuff"
Like a long lost friend.
 maximinimalist wrote:
the best thing about this song is that it's now over.


 
I suppose you are a big fan of Katie Perry?
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
Do we realize how rippin' that guitar opening is?  

 
The whole song just rolls along--one of the things I like best about C&W. 

But Cynaera was right--the lyrics are powerful. Worth checking out below.  
Never cease to amaze me this band their reportoir appears to be endless , certainly grabbed me yet again,,
 Lost on you, dude.
maximinimalist wrote:
the best thing about this song is that it's now over.

 

Love This!
Hillbilly Rock meets zydeco meets Latin rock folk.
Synthesis Genius.
Why didn't I ever hear this BACK THEN!?!?!?!
Do we realize how rippin' that guitar opening is?  
just dancing to this one sunday night at the belly up tavern in solana beach california...must have been show # 130 or so for me, and every one is a joy filled evening. love you lobos!
 Cynaera wrote:

I'm bumping this shamelessly, because READ THE LYRICS!  Yeah, it's depressing, but there's hope, too. We all need to fight. Even if it's just to get up and have a cup of coffee in the morning. This song has kicked me into a realm of positivity.

I have a new respect and love for Los Lobos.
 
Good night, Cynaera. And goodbye.
 dwlangham wrote:
Can this song really be 24 years old? How did that happen?
 
25 years now...blink of an eye....yes, its very good stuff too.
Dare you not to tap your toe !
Great opening song from a great LP (yes, it's been around THAT long)
 dwlangham wrote:
Can this song really be 24 years old? How did that happen?
 
Decades pass like the years used to...

These guys are just soooooooooooooo cool. Cyn, thanks for the lyrics.

I am going to spend money on this. As soon as my credit card payment posts.
Can this song really be 24 years old? How did that happen?
This whole album is an underrated gem.
Gotta love Los Lobos. Their music always seems to elevate my mood.
Fabuloso!  Must get this one on my Pod!
Bittersweet. 
Beautiful.
Bless you Bill.
Excellent song, whole album is great.  Really paints a picture of what it is like growing up Hispanic in East LA, as current today as when the album was cut.
 Cynaera wrote:
One Time, One Night

(David Hidalgo/Louie Perez)

A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

A lady dressed in white with the man she loved
Standing along the side of their pickup truck
A shot rang out in the night
Just when everything seemed right
Another headline written down in America

The guy that lived next door in #305
Took the kids to the park and disappeared
About half past nine
Who will ever know
How much she loved them so
That dark night alone in America

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America

A young girl tosses a coin in the wishing well
She hopes for a heaven while for her
There's just this hell
She gave away her life
To become somebody's wife
Another wish unanswered in America

People having so much faith
Die too soon while all the rest come late
We write a song that no one sings
On a cold black stone
Where a lasting peace will finally bring

The sunlight plays upon my windowpane
I wake up to a world that's still the same
My father said to be strong
And that a good man could never do wrong
In a dream I had last night in America

A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America


 
I'm bumping this shamelessly, because READ THE LYRICS!  Yeah, it's depressing, but there's hope, too. We all need to fight. Even if it's just to get up and have a cup of coffee in the morning. This song has kicked me into a realm of positivity.

I have a new respect and love for Los Lobos.


 TravelRat wrote:
Gawd, Bill—what's up with all of the sad songs? {#Cry}{#Drunk}{#Cry}
 
Who cares?  Keep it up!

Gawd, Bill—what's up with all of the sad songs? {#Cry}{#Drunk}{#Cry}
One Time, One Night

(David Hidalgo/Louie Perez)

A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

A lady dressed in white with the man she loved
Standing along the side of their pickup truck
A shot rang out in the night
Just when everything seemed right
Another headline written down in America

The guy that lived next door in #305
Took the kids to the park and disappeared
About half past nine
Who will ever know
How much she loved them so
That dark night alone in America

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America

Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America

A young girl tosses a coin in the wishing well
She hopes for a heaven while for her
There's just this hell
She gave away her life
To become somebody's wife
Another wish unanswered in America

People having so much faith
Die too soon while all the rest come late
We write a song that no one sings
On a cold black stone
Where a lasting peace will finally bring

The sunlight plays upon my windowpane
I wake up to a world that's still the same
My father said to be strong
And that a good man could never do wrong
In a dream I had last night in America

A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen

A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song about the home of the brave
In this land here of the free
One time one night in America



 maximinimalist wrote:
the best thing about this song is that it's now over.

 
It's actually a great song, but you have to really listen to dig the lyrics and the overall subtlety. For me, it took about five times.

 cohifi wrote:

Another Gem!

 

Dave H. can really sing 'em...
 maximinimalist wrote:
the best thing about this song is that it's now over.
 
I am looking forward to that
Not my favorite song by one of my favorite bands.
the best thing about this song is that it's now over.

 Teko wrote:
Los Lobos can do no wrong.
 
Another Gem!

Los Lobos can do no wrong.
Please stop it {#Frustrated}
Interesting to hear this song played back to back with "Cemetery Gates". Los Lobos and the Smiths, whowouldathunk?
{#Cowboy}  YEAH!

Great band. Great song.
Blech!
 zengentleman wrote:
Yankees Suck!
 

Dude, Yankee's rule.
I saw these guys perform at Tipitina's, New Orleans, 1987.  They rocked the house!

Hey Tug, where ya at in the Queen city?  South CLT here.  {#Wave}


 
tugandbuster wrote:
sounds positively Zydeco ... and wonderful!!!
 


sounds positively Zydeco ... and wonderful!!!
 kaybee wrote:

I like this song in spite of the fact it sounds so country!  {#Dance}
 
Funny, I never thought of it as country.  As a matter of fact, just look at the album photo.  Reminds me of a grade B horror flick poster.  Yeeeowww!!!

Los Lobos are a national treasure, and I'm so proud to call 'em Homies.
I enjoy and endorse the thematic interpretations provided.
Wow, 5 songs about America in a row.... I think we should have Trey Parker's "Team America, F&¤# Yeah!" next for a good giggle.... Team America, putting the F back in Freedom.....
AGREED!!!
 
zengentleman wrote:
Yankees Suck!
 


As with many songs, the lyrics really do matter with this song.
Shame they can't be bothered to click on the 'Song Info (Song Meanings)'
link above - their loss!  {#Arrowu}

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

About every fifth comment on this song says to go check the lyrics... there's something you might be missing.
 
If you're not listening to the lyrics on this song - you are missing a lot. I bought this lp back in 1987, my first year of grad school, and hearing it brings back memories of late nights spent in my painting studio, this is one of the best.....

 kaybee wrote:

I like this song in spite of the fact it sounds so country!  {#Dance}
  

     Yeah, it does sound country.  That's not neccessarily a bad thing.  Some country is mainstream, some traditional,some crossover, some rock, rockabilly, or bluegrass, and some downright painful.  I enjoy country, but as in all things, I pick and choose from the smörgasbord that is available out there.  It is nice that Bill throws in a bit of countryish stuff, now and then....just to keep us on our toes...
 kaybee wrote:

I like this song in spite of the fact it sounds so country!  {#Dance}
 
Remember that Mexican Mariachi music started out as Country Music .. just from Mexican Country folks.  Some of the translations of them might as well describe West Virginia coal mines.


 SuzenJueL wrote:
sounds way too country for my ears, I think my head just cocked to the side...but it just wasn't as cute as when puppies do it.....

Kiko and the Lavender Moon...amazing song. This song...just not doing it for me...
 
I like this song in spite of the fact it sounds so country!  {#Dance}
 SuzenJueL wrote:
sounds way too country for my ears, I think my head just cocked to the side...but it just wasn't as cute as when puppies do it.....

Kiko and the Lavender Moon...amazing song. This song...just not doing it for me...
 
About every fifth comment on this song says to go check the lyrics... there's something you might be missing.
Always remember the movie "Colors" when they cruise East LA at the beginning of the movie and play this tune
sounds way too country for my ears, I think my head just cocked to the side...but it just wasn't as cute as when puppies do it.....

Kiko and the Lavender Moon...amazing song. This song...just not doing it for me...
Love this one and I don't know why. Damn, I say that a lot...
 zengentleman wrote:
Yankees Suck!
 
and Los Lobos Rules!

Yankees Suck!
 93vx800 wrote:
Love Los Lobos. Every time I hear this voice I think of the free concert in Baltimore during ArtScape. Now that is a great festival, it is. If you're in MD during August, check two things:

Is ArtScape on, and

Are the Red Sox in town?

 

{#High-five}
 catsoup wrote:
I haven't heard a Los Lobos song yet that I didn't like, but this one is pretty depressing.

 
Sometimes, real life is depressing. IMO, that's the difference between "art" and "entertainment".

After reading the lyrics, up from 7 to 8. I guess the words blew over my head the first time I heard it.



Love Los Lobos. Every time I hear this voice I think of the free concert in Baltimore during ArtScape. Now that is a great festival, it is. If you're in MD during August, check two things:

Is ArtScape on, and

Are the Red Sox in town?

 catsoup wrote:
I haven't heard a Los Lobos song yet that I didn't like, but this one is pretty depressing.
 

Reality bites eh? Now go vote for Obama! Ohio owes us big time for the last four years!
Superlative.
I haven't heard a Los Lobos song yet that I didn't like, but this one is pretty depressing.
Like flipping through a series of snapshots.  Wonderful song.
I can't decide what this sounds like more...."Lay Down Sally" by Eric Clapton or "Queen of Hearts" by Juice Newton.

Either way, I despised them both and I despise this one equally. But that's just me.

I did, however, give it a 5 for quality. I can appreciate quality. Just not the music itself.

ah...?

I should concentrate on the lyrics?

 

daveesh wrote:

if you didn't listen to the lyrics, you might think this was the happiest song ever. i love it.
if you didn't listen to the lyrics, you might think this was the happiest song ever. i love it.
mefrombrazil wrote:
their best song ever. don't matter what the people say, i won't change my mind. that's all folks.
Ditto. I love this.
their best song ever. don't matter what the people say, i won't change my mind. that's all folks.
Misterfixit wrote:
Listen to the lyrics on this track. Listen and Learn something. Los Lobos are an American Icon Band.
I was just about to rip you a new one: I read that as 'American Idol'! Whew, that was close. You're right on, brother. Los Lobos occupies a unique portion of the American lexicon, crossing boundaries once considered inviolate. c.
Pure cajun, right down to the 'ccordian riffs! Vien danser, cheri!
AWOOOO0000000ooooooooooooooooooooo
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Man, I hear ya. Garth Brooks/Los Lobos same/same. Especially the way they steal those accordian riffs from each other.
Yeah, I get those two mixed up all the time... What a maroon... c.
A great anthem from a great album. Classic rock and roll song structure (including the bridge between verses 2 & 3) and great riffs.
I love these guitar rifts.
What a tragic song to go with such a happy feeling tune! still like it though.
I'm so happy for all the positive comments about this song and band. They so deserve it like just about no other band out there. They are the real deal in every sense of the phrase, and always leave me in awe with their musicianship, poetry, soul and class.
Roverfish wrote:
Quite possibly my favorite Lobos tune, which is saying something. I just don't know what. Outstanding.
hard for me to pick a fave Lobos song but this is definitely outstanding I think. It would be cool if they would put a recording of this in one of those capsules they shoot out into space to introduce us to alien beings
This my all time favorite America song from my favorite American band. Los Lobos is a national treasure!
Quite possibly my favorite Lobos tune, which is saying something. I just don't know what. Outstanding.
Listen to the lyrics on this track. Listen and Learn something. Los Lobos are an American Icon Band.
Great Great band...
canadapaul wrote:
what a great song; such an underrated band; too bad most people only know La Bamba; that's just one of their faces; awesome, I love Los Lobos!
Great band, Saw them in Baltimore about five years ago. Wow. Made up for the O's beating the Sox!
dexev wrote:
Tonight at the Oregon Zoo!
Sounds like something you'd hear Greg Gutfeld say on Red Eye.
what a great song; such an underrated band; too bad most people only know La Bamba; that's just one of their faces; awesome, I love Los Lobos!
Tonight at the Oregon Zoo!
I've said this on other LL threads before, but everybody NEEDS to see this band live. They will blow you away.
I saw Los Lobos in Fairbanks, Alaska in a high school auditorium. They were part of a concert series billed as a "Folk Band". There were many elderly season ticket holders sitting in the front rows. I don't know what they expected, but Los Lobos rocked out that night. We had salsa dancing on stage, it was amazing. Most of the elderly left at intermission - probably becuase of the volume. It was a really fun night.